Law & Politics
Addresses in City West
Tauentzienstrasse to become Kurfuerstendamm? What the proposal means for real estate
The AG City proposes renaming Tauentzienstrasse to Kurfuerstendamm. What the initiative means for property owners on Berlin's busiest shopping street.
Peter Guthmann
The Arbeitsgemeinschaft City (AG City) has proposed officially renaming the roughly 500 meter long Tauentzienstrasse to "Kurfuerstendamm." The reasoning: most Berliners and tourists already perceive the boulevard with the KaDeWe department store as part of the Ku'damm. The proposal directly affects the local real estate market.
Two streets, one history
The Kurfuerstendamm was developed into a representative boulevard from 1886 following plans by Otto von Bismarck. Tauentzienstrasse, named after Prussian General Bogislav von Tauentzien, was built between 1860 and 1890 and connects Wittenbergplatz in Schoeneberg with Breitscheidplatz in Charlottenburg. Originally one of Berlin's premier residential addresses, the street transformed into a commercial thoroughfare when the KaDeWe department store opened in 1907. Today it is Berlin's most visited shopping street.
The case for renaming
For retail and tourism, the advantage is straightforward: the name "Kurfuerstendamm" is internationally recognized and associated with upscale shopping. A unified name for the entire boulevard from Rathenauplatz to Wittenbergplatz would simplify marketing. This proposal fits the current market development aimed at strengthening City West as a location.
Consequences for property owners
For property owners on Tauentzienstrasse, the renaming would have two sides. In the short term, it means administrative effort: addresses in land registers, lease agreements, and company documents would need updating. In the longer term, a "Kurfuerstendamm" address could change demand for commercial space and apartments in the area. The name carries more weight, which could be reflected in commercial rent expectations.
Opposition from the boroughs
Borough politicians from Tempelhof-Schoeneberg and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf are skeptical. They point to Tauentzienstrasse's historical independence and the tradition behind the name. Many residents and long standing property owners also feel attached to the existing address. Whether the economic arguments will prevail over tradition remains open.